
W
hile French designers have always had a presence at COUTURE, around 2023, their numbers became truly remarkable. What was even more extraordinary than their ubiquitousness was the astounding level of creativity and innovation each of these brands exhibited. From the originality and exceptional craftsmanship of their work to the ways in which they showcased their jewelry in their salons, breathless “Ooh La Las” could be heard throughout the show floor. With three French designers taking home top prizes at COUTURE Design Awards that year, the presence of these brands was officially cemented into the foundation of our event, and much to our delight, their numbers continue to grow.
Featured image courtesy of Jany Marcelle
From seasoned COUTURE veterans to debutants of the event, this sampling of work from French designers being presented in Las Vegas is illustrative of that country’s distinction as a bastion of style and sophistication.
Persée

Image courtesy of Chrstns
We are thrilled to collaborate with Francéclat to offer a first glimpse into the hot off the (French) press collections that we can look forward to seeing at COUTURE this year. From seasoned COUTURE veterans to debutants of the event, this sampling of work from French designers being presented in Las Vegas is illustrative of that country’s distinction as a bastion of style and sophistication.

Image courtesy of Akillis
Akillis:
Akillis jewelry is a reflection of the daring, free-spirited nature of its designer, Caroline Gaspard. With a zest for life, an appreciation of beauty and a keen eye for meticulous craftsmanship, she creates pieces that empower the wearer. Her unisex collections showcase sharp lines and geographic shapes, essential elements masterfully created through a blend of traditional craftsmanship and state-of-the-art technology.

Image courtesy of Akillis
The brand’s Python collection is inspired by the captivating myth of the serpent. The perpetual metamorphosis of shedding and renewal is an ancestral symbol of rebirth and wisdom, and the serpent was thought during ancient times to represent protection and inner awakening.

Image courtesy of Akillis
The pieces in the collection capture this essence with bold silhouettes and mesmerizing design elements. From the smallest scale earrings to plunging pendants and dramatic ear cuffs, Python evokes a sense of confidence and power.
Salon 534

Image courtesy of Alix Dumas
Alix Dumas:
From conception to creation, artist and master jeweler, Alix Dumas, is involved with all aspects of bringing her designs to life. Working at the bench, she pushes the boundaries of the capabilities of the materials with which she works. Through the physical process of fabrication, Alix honors the covenant she sees between jewelry and the human form, combining traditional French heritage craftsmanship with an artist’s sculptural disposition.

Image courtesy of Alix Dumas
Her voluminous designs fit like a second skin, harmonious extensions of the body that feel both romantic and contemporary. Rooted in classic concepts of engineering and exceptional design, she manipulates color, light and shadow in an entirely new way, enhancing the spectrum of gemstones, titanium, diamonds and precious metals that serve as mediums for her singular narratives.

Image courtesy of Alix Dumas
In her most recent collection, Antarctica, Alix introduces Searenn, which is comprised of recycled shells from the shores of French Brittany. A novel material in jewelry design, in the collection’s bangle, ring and hoop earrings, Searenn’s kaleidoscope of color represents melting ice. Juxtaposed with intricately crafted Fairmined gold set with Old Mined and Old European diamonds and ethically sourced sapphires, the pieces make a bold statement while evoking the poetry of nature.
Design Atelier 4

Image courtesy of Chrstns
Chrstns:
The most current collection from Paris-based brand Chrstns is yet another testament to the ingenuity and innovation of its founder, Stephie Christiaens. The Amarleau collection features a faceted diamond floating freely in water, encased in a sapphire crystal sphere. Framed in 18k gold, the elements are beautifully balanced, the lines and curves of the designs creating a play of shadow and light.

Image courtesy of Chrstns
In keeping with all of Chrstns’ pieces, Amarleau is a feat of engineering and a bold expression of the designer’s intention and meaning. The diamond floating unencumbered in the water stands resolutely as a symbol of freedom and spaciousness and serves as a gentle reminder that the present moment is everything.

Image courtesy of Chrstns
Stephie says of the work, “This collection is an ode to life and to simply being. To the grace of now. To the beauty that arises when we no longer seek to possess, but to witness — when we are no longer lost in things, but rooted in being.”
Design Atelier 25

Image courtesy of Jany Marcelle
Jany Marcelle:
Founded by friends Caroline Hadida and Julie Gabison, Jany Marcelle jewelry is a harmonious blend of vintage design elements and contemporary motifs. When the two first met, a friendship was instantly sparked when they realized they both absolutely adored their respective grandmothers, Jany and Marcelle. Their jewelry is inspired by the heritage and memories of these influential women, and their shared love for art, jewelry and fashion influences their designs. Combining Caroline’s background in fashion and design and Julie’s experience as a lawyer, they took on the roles of Managing Director and Director of Operations of the brand, respectively.

Image courtesy of Jany Marcelle
Their collections are fabricated with remarkable precision achieved only through the artisanal know-how of master craftspeople. The Equation collection evokes the movement of waves, with diamonds set high atop an undulating arc of 18k yellow gold.

Image courtesy of Jany Marcelle
In La Vague, a river of intertwined ovals drapes fluidly over the skin in a graceful wave of gold. All of the brand’s jewelry has timeless appeal and an elegant simplicity that belies the complexities of its construction, and it is certain to make an impact during its 2025 COUTURE debut.
Salon 532

Image courtesy of Lydia Courteille
Lydia Courteille:
In her latest collections, artist and visionary, Lydia Courteille brings to life the rich history, culture and symbolism of ancient Sicily with her characteristic combination of imagination and technical prowess. A quintessential raconteur, Lydia incorporates complex narratives into her work, allowing collectors to connect with her jewelry on both a personal and a spiritual level. Utilizing meticulously selected, exceptional gemstones, the value of her work extends beyond its component parts to the artistry that goes into its creation and the unprecedented creativity applied to each unique design.

Image courtesy of Lydia Courteille
Taormina Gardens features prickly pear cactuses and lemons, symbols of the Sicilian landscape. The collection’s ring showcases a breathtaking, 43.17ct Paraiba Tourmaline embraced by prickly pears made up of sapphires and accents of diamonds, bolstered by roots of 18k textured gold.

Image courtesy of Lydia Courteille
This same theme is also envisioned in a necklace, with clusters of lemons and prickly pears set amidst a cascade of 18k yellow gold and diamond links. The designer’s experimental collage rings combine enamel and geometric blocks of colored gemstones and represent a vibrant new direction in her creative expression.
Salon 724

Image courtesy of Persée
Persée:
A single technique, the laser-drilled diamond, forms the aesthetic foundation of Persée. Conceived by Nawal Laoui who wanted to offer a more contemporary approach to fine jewelry, the “nude” diamonds in her work, dangling without a setting, elevate their radiance and brilliance. She has taken this determination to reveal the beauty in classic combinations of rich yellow gold and natural stones in Persée’s expansive Piercing Lab collection, which offers options for curating ears from lobe to cartilage, while the brand’s Chaine Lab offers eternal jewelry that can be soldered to seal a bond of love, friendship or brotherhood.

Image courtesy of Persée
COUTURE 2025 will see the unveiling of Memoria, a collection of customizable keepsakes that combine Persée’s impeccable craftsmanship with a personal, intimate touch. Inspired by traditional lockets, these modern medallions are designed to hold a miniature photo of a loved one, a cherished moment or even a member of one’s furry family.

Image courtesy of Persée
Offering customized printing that is perfectly sized to fit the oval or heart lockets, Memoria allows collectors to keep the moments and people that matter the most to them close to their hearts.
Salon 633

Image courtesy of Rouvenat
Rouvenat:
Rouvenat’s history dates back to 1851, when a young Léon Rouvenat earned instant acclaim as a talented jeweler at the first ever Universal Exposition in London. He solidified his reputation with the revolutionary opening of a manufacturing facility, in which he welcomed clients and enthusiasts from across the globe to get an insiders’ view into the design and fabrication process. With his death, his designs disappeared and were only recovered in 2022 when more than 3,000 period gouaches, nestled in 12 leather-bound notebooks, were discovered in a Parisian antique shop.

Image courtesy of Rouvenat
The team of artisans who have revived Rouvenat’s genius work with these sketches to create a framework for their designs. Sometimes benefiting from intricate details and other times needing to infer meaning and intention in basic line drawings, all of the pieces capture the essence of groundbreaking design.

Image courtesy of Rouvenat
In the brand’s most current pieces, Frame has been expanded upon with rings that hold sacrosanct unique center stones, and a new interpretation of Bolt has been realized in full diamond pavé enhanced by drops and beads cut from an antique crystal block. Another version of Bolt reimagines the “emotional jewels” that first gained popularity in the 1st Century A.D., with a crystal intaglio depicting an allegorical scene of Eros steering a shell under a star’s guidance.
Salon 631

Image courtesy of Salomé Rico
Salomé Rico:
Within the Salomé Rico collection there lies a juxtaposition of playfulness and gravitas. The brand’s designer, Salomé Ludaescher Ricomard, has been drawn to jewelry from a young age, opting to play dress up with her grandmother’s jewelry box rather than playing with dolls. Adorning herself in these treasures complemented her inherent sense of femininity and the artform’s power of personal self-expression had an indelible impact on her worldview.

Image courtesy of Salomé Rico
The pull of the craft eventually led the designer to work for 8 years in prestigious jewelry houses of Place Vendôme, before a single design—her own engagement ring—changed the trajectory of her life and she launched Salomé Rico.

Image courtesy of Salomé Rico
Salomé believe that jewels are a “visible perfume,” a true reflection of the soul of the wearer. Creating pieces that break through the confines of convention, her designs are made to be stacked and layered or stand as a solitary statement of individuality. Incorporating unexpected combination of colors and materials, such as mixing diamonds and enamel with hardstones like turquoise, classic shapes take on new life in designs that are at once whimsical and collectable.
Design Atelier 16

Image courtesy of Statement
Statement:
Founded in 2019 by Amélie Huynh, Statement jewelry serves as a means of personal self-expression for the wearer. Proclaiming, “We create the jewelry, you write the story,” the brand offers pieces that can turn a statement into a manifesto. The work is inspired by the geometric lines that dominated the Art Deco era and the power of Brutalist architecture.

Image courtesy of Statement
Statement’s iconic My Way collection is meant to be worn like a suit of armor. Combining Art Deco opulence and chrome-clad futurism, their symmetry and balance reflect a sense of confidence, the combinations of metal, diamonds and enamel that can be applied to the collection an assertive proclamation of the attitude of the wearer.

Image courtesy of Statement
Similar geometric elements can also be seen in Unchained, in which each link embodies the bonds we create, delicate pearls in perfect complement with the strength of links. New additions to the Wishbox collection, inspired by Tibetan wish boxes, are crafted as miniature sanctuaries that hold within them the hopes whispered to the universe.
Design Atelier 14

Image courtesy of Viltier
Viltier:
Launched by friends Iris de La Villardière and Thomas Montier Leboucher, Viltier is a celebration of Parisienne savoir-faire. Experienced in the industry and knowledgeable about the history of design, the duo creates jewelry that pays homage to the past while also creating a more fair and inclusive future through a principled approach to design and business.

Image courtesy of Viltier
With Iris sketching and Thomas overseeing every meticulous detail of production, the two believe that sustainability should be an essential component of any luxury brand. While honoring the heritage of traditional craftsmanship, they demonstrate their commitment through the use of only Fairmined or recycled gold.

Image courtesy of Viltier
In 2023, Viltier took home the coveted Best in Gold Award at the COUTURE Design Awards with their Edge bracelet. The play of light in the piece from every angle, established by the architectural arrangement of gold tubes, is punctuated by an unexpected array of diamonds for a look that is both bold and sophisticated. The brand’s new Alpha Edge collection borrows from these iconic contours, playing with the rhythm of generous gold tubes enhanced by sparkling diamonds, letters merging into symbolic patterns that make a daring and assertive statement.
Salon 718

Image courtesy of Violette Joaillerie
Violette Joaillerie:
Within her eponymous collection, founder of Violette Joaillerie, Violette Basentsyan, illustrates her deep connection to the sea and her ongoing love affair with the coastal charm of Marseille. Her background working for the French Naval Defense, and the many days she spent at the Cercle des Nageurs de Marseille, a venerable institution overlooking the Mediterranean shores, sparked in her imagination the colorful adventures at play in the underwater world. Called to honor her innate creativity, Violette decided to leave the corporate world and express her individuality and the life experiences that formed her perspective through jewelry design.

Image courtesy of Violette Joaillerie
Violette Joaillerie establishes a new definition of elegance and refinement. Sourcing the featured stones in her work in Jaipur, India, Violette works with expert artisans who individually sculpt each piece by hand into whimsical interpretations of aquatic themes, before they are expertly set in Marseille.

Image courtesy of Violette Joaillerie
The brand’s debut collection, Oceanic Splendour, features colorful fish, playful seahorses, alluring octopuses and charming shells. Just like the creatures that inspired them, each piece is one-of-a-kind and reflects the uniqueness and beauty of the sea.
Salon 434

Image courtesy of Yvonne Léon
Yvonne Léon:
Hailing from a long line of traditional jewelers, Parisian designer, Yvonne Léon was immersed in the world of precious jewelry from a young age. After studying fashion, Yvonne went on to work as a stylist and editor before answering the ancestral call to pursue jewelry design. Firmly ensconced in both high fashion and traditional techniques, Yvonne’s work is a poetic combination of classic appeal and avant-garde sensibility.

Image courtesy of Yvonne Léon
In addition to expansions on her core collections, Chevalières, Lady, Safari and Beach, COUTURE 2025 will see the introduction of the Damier collection which showcases a strong, graphic motif reinterpreted with a subtle play of colors and textures. Featuring hard stones like Lapis Lazuli, Turquoise, Malachite, Onyx, Coral and Agate, in combination with 18k yellow gold and diamonds, delicate contrasts give these classic silhouettes contemporary appeal.

Image courtesy of Yvonne Léon
The brand’s newly released Un, Deux, Trois rings give the illusion of three rings in one. Sculpted from a single block, the concentric circles create an elegant visual rhythm and evoke both lightness and precision.
Salon 805
About Francéclat:
Francéclat is committed to developing French timepiece, jewelry and tableware brands and showcasing the country’s highly admired art de vivre. Supported by 13,000 French companies in those industries, the organization’s aim is to expand and develop these symbolic sectors both in France and globally. Creating and sharing tools and initiatives for all French watchmakers, jewelers and tableware manufacturers, Francéclat provides guidance and support to meet the needs of all companies in their three areas of focus at any stage of their business development.